ECO Water Feature Design

A water treatment system is an integral part of any swimming pool. On projects with high sustainability ambitions, optimising the efficiency of this system is a key step—one that can be effectively addressed using Devin’s ECO design approach.

Water features, however, are often seen as a luxury or “nice to have,” and can sometimes be omitted from sustainability-focused schemes. But this doesn’t have to be the case, and overlooking them ignores the social and economic benefits that both decorative and interactive features can bring.

Instead, we should focus on improving the energy efficiency of these features, and at Devin, that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Many of the same principles that apply to pool water treatment also apply to water features. This includes the full treatment system for decorative features, and more specifically, the pumping and pipework design for interactive features that are part of a pool system.

Some features, such as lazy rivers, flumes, and even spa pools, require relatively high flow rates. In these cases, optimising the design of the feature pump and associated suction and delivery pipework can yield significant energy savings.  A properly optimised design could easily be 50% more efficient than a poorly delivered one.

Additionally, many features only need to operate for short periods. By incorporating timers or automated control systems, we ensure pumps only run when needed, reducing unnecessary energy use.

At a broader level, it’s also important to ensure that the selection of features aligns with the facility’s user profile. We help clients make informed decisions, including highlighting lower-flow alternatives where appropriate.

Sustainability is not often the first consideration when it comes to water features, but improving their efficiency can lead to meaningful and significant cost and energy savings. Our work in this area reflects our commitment to enhancing the sustainability of every element in our service portfolio—delivering real value to our clients.

Want to explore how we can help you? Contact Sam Gledhill at sgledhill@devin-consulting.com to learn more.